Dora Cowen

Dora Revelle Cowen85, Co-Founder of the Pink LadiesDora Revelle Cowen, 85 years old, of Shawnee, went to be with our Lord Friday morning, Oct. 31, 2008. She died in Solara Hospital in Shawnee with her loving family around her. Dora was born Nov. 4, 1922 in Memphis, Tenn., to Howard and Dora Revelle. She was adopted by her uncle Clifford Revelle and his wife Lillian Stallings Revelle after the death of her birth mother, Dora Eastman Revelle. In the summer of 1942, Dora worked as a receptionist for Cowen-Norton Construction Company who was building an Airbase in Newport, Ark. On Oct. 10, 1942 she married the love of her life Earnest A. Cowen in Newport, Ark. She was a longtime member of Liberty Baptist Church, Shawnee Jr. Service League, Garden Club, and many bridge clubs. Dora and Helen Raley, wife of OBU President John Raley, were co-founders of Pink Ladies of Shawnee Medical Center now called Unity North Hospital. Dora had a wonderful life with her mother and dad, and she loved life more after her father bought a farm in Tupelo, Ark. Dora enjoyed being involved in many extracurricular activities. She loved riding and showing her gaited horse, Princess Pat. She won many horse shows and ribbons. Dora graduated from Newport High School where she was a cheerleader. She attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas. She was "Miss Newport" and "Miss Jackson County." She won many beauty contests. In later years a highlight of her life was going on Safari in Botswana and South Africa with her husband. She is listed in the Roland Ward Book of Records for some of her game. She loved hunting and fishing. At the age of 3 she played "Jesus Loves Me" by ear, in fact, she could play just about anything by ear. Dora often gave devotionals at the First Presbyterian Church Women's Association and played the organ at the luncheons. Dora loved being a wife, mother, and homeroom mother. She has written volumes of poetry for her family and friends personalizing each individual. She was known for her delicious food and loved entertaining in her home her friends, family, Senators and Representatives. Each Thanksgiving, her grandchildren especially, anticipated her family holiday tradition of Cranberry Ice, Twice Baked Potatoes and "Grandmother's rolls"! Dora was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford Revelle and Lillian Stallings Revelle, and her infant baby girl, Lillian Gay Cowen, who died shortly after birth. Survivors include her husband Earnest A. Cowen of the home her two children, E. Allen Cowen of Shawnee and Revelle Cowen Hanks of Shawnee. Her four grandchildren, Nathan Wesley Hanks of Oklahoma City, Heather Revelle Hanks of Atlanta, Ga., Kari Lynn Heiman of Lausanne, Switzerland, and Eric Cowen and family of Eufaula. She will be missed by her family and many friends. Services will be at 2 p.m. Today, Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Liberty Baptist Church, 711 East Federal, Shawnee, with Brother Bill Matthews and Brother Phil Thompson officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials may be either floral arrangements or, because of Dora's love of children, memorials may be made to Liberty Academy, Box 1176, Shawnee, OK 74802.